The Sindh High Court has issued a significant directive, instructing the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to fully restore the services of the social media platform X across the nation, according to a report by Dawn.

According to the monitoring website Downdetector, social media platform X has been inaccessible in various parts of Pakistan for the sixth consecutive day. Disruptions have been reported in cities such as Rawalpindi, Karachi, Gujranwala, Lahore, and others.

During the hearing, SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi instructed the PTA to ensure the uninterrupted restoration of social media platform X's services nationwide, as reported by Dawn.

This directive was issued in response to a petition filed by senior journalists through Advocate Abdul Moiz Jaferii. The petition argued that blocking access to X violated Article 19 and 19-A of the Constitution and was deemed unlawful and arbitrary.

According to Dawn, the petition identified the PTA, Interior Ministry, and Information Ministry as respondents. Social media platform X has been inaccessible since February 17, following former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Chattha's press conference. Chattha accused the chief election commissioner and chief justice of involvement in rigging the February 8 general elections.

Criticism has been directed towards the restrictions on social media by various rights bodies, journalists' organizations, and internet service providers. They highlighted the losses incurred due to the disruptions. The United States has urged Pakistan to lift social media restrictions, expressing concern over any limitations on freedom of association and expression.

During yesterday's hearing, Advocate Jafferi noted that the interior ministry denied issuing directives for the suspension of social media platform X, while the IT ministry highlighted the flourishing state of Pakistan's information technology sector.

Justice Abbasi raised questions about the authority behind the suspension orders, to which Jafferi emphasized that only the PTA holds the authority to suspend or slow down X's services.

The lawyer further highlighted that journalists and others who used X for financial purposes were suffering due to the disruptions. He added that the suspension also hindered the provision of advertisements to Palestine and information regarding the situation in Gaza.

"The judge inquired about the duration of X's suspension," noting that the court had previously ordered uninterrupted access to the internet and social media platforms.

However, Jafferi clarified that his petition addressed a distinct matter, emphasizing that disruptions to X's services began on the day the former Rawalpindi commissioner made statements regarding alleged rigging.

The SHC instructed the PTA to restore full access to X and requested detailed responses from the respondents for the next hearing. The petition emphasized that the PTA's actions violated fundamental rights and telecommunications regulations, calling for immediate restoration of public access to X and permanent restraint on arbitrary restrictions.

Image source: ANI